The South East of England is one of the driest parts of the UK, classified as seriously water stressed by the Environment Agency. Climate change is having a huge impact on rainfall patterns - ground water levels are dropping, flash flooding, warmer summers, less rain in winter, less percolation in to groundwater are all taking their toll. The region typically also experiences more droughts than any other region in the UK. On a hot day an extra billion litres may be required. Meeting increasing demand whilst maintaining a sustainable environment is a tough balance between protection of habitats and meeting future demand. South East Water is taking part in the EU-funded PROWATER project, trialling Ecosystem Based Adaptation measures in land the company owns in Friston Forest. The water supplier is also working with the British Geological Survey to map karstic flow features of the chalk aquifers which are the source of around three quarters of the tap water they produce.
